Merlin Announces FY 2023 Results & Acquires Orlando Wheel

(eap) British amusement park operator Merlin Entertainments welcomed a total of 62 million guests worldwide in the past financial year (FY) 2023, which ended on 30 December. This represents an increase of 13 per cent or around seven million more visitors to the 141 associated attractions and parks that the company operates across 23 countries. The group’s total revenue for FY 2023 amounts to 2.1 billion GBP (approx. 2.4 billion EUR), which corresponds to growth of eight per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA is reported to be 662 million GBP (approx. 771 million EUR).

“[…] In a year of record revenue and a plus 13 percent visitor increase over 2022, we are humbled, inspired, and emboldened that the 62 million guests who visited our 141 theme parks and attractions around the world reported the highest levels of guest satisfaction in Merlin history. Our solid financial performance is a testament to the passion of our 30,000 talented teammates around the world and the authentic, inspiring culture in which we work. [...] We intend to continue our growth momentum by driving an increasingly premium position at LEGOLAND Resorts, making calculated investments in resorts with outsized potential, and growing our Gateway Attractions division, strengthening our presence through ‘mega-clusters’ in the world’s most important tourist cities that show long-term visitation growth,” comments Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments.

One such cluster can be found at the ICON Park in Orlando (Florida): Merlin has now taken over the operation of the Orlando Wheel there again, after the 122-metre-high Ferris wheel – the tallest on the US East Coast – was recently no longer owned by the British operating group. To complement its local portfolio consisting of a SEA LIFE visitor aquarium and a Madame Tussauds attraction, the Orlando Wheel is now back under the Merlin flag and will be operated under its former name of Orlando Eye in future. ■